Thabiso Makibinyane
The Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) organised a series of business forums for entrepreneurs in Leribe and Butha Buthe districts last week.
These roadshows, which commenced last Tuesday in Mokhotlong, aim to bolster investment and trade opportunities while providing a platform for LNDC stakeholders to engage with the local private sector.
Rethabile Mdee, General Manager of Property Development and Management at LNDC, spoke on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), emphasising their primary goal of supporting the government in promoting local businesses to boost the country’s economy.
Mdee underscored LNDC’s strategic focus on key sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, hospitality, and technology and innovation, outlined in their five-year plan spanning from 2023 to 2028.
Bokang Makhafola, representing the Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) project, highlighted the educational support available for Basotho-owned businesses.
“We support entrepreneurs seeking to know more about running a business, either abroad or locally. The study must be directly related to their business and should not exceed six weeks, subject to specific requirements stipulated by CAFI,†Makhafola explained.
MatÅ¡episo Lesoli from Leribe, who operates the company “Lady in Red Transport and Construction,” shared her insights from the forum. Lesoli expressed newfound clarity on the steps necessary to expand her business.
She said: “We now understand the correct procedure to follow when facing challenges in securing construction contracts for projects like the Polihali Dam.â€
LNDC anticipates several positive outcomes from these district-level roadshows, including heightened awareness of existing investment and trade opportunities, increased involvement of the local private sector in driving economic growth, and greater recognition of LNDC stakeholder initiatives and programs that support the local business community.
